Wolfwater

by Alia Hess

  Anise paused, then swallowed and nodded. Sasha pulled off the sheets and swiveled his feet to the floor. The long bandage on his thigh crinkled, and he grimaced as pain pulsed in his leg.

  She scooped an arm around him and helped him stand. He limped to the door, squeezing her tightly to maintain his balance.

  “You’re not as tall as I expected you to be,” Anise said.

  “Hey, the size is not matter, you know?”

  If Anise got the joke, her face didn’t give it away. Maybe he didn’t say it right.

  They turned into a short hall. Paintings of drones, in various makes and models, hung on the walls in chipped frames. A stained glass window at the end of the hall painted the walls with ruddy light and Sasha thought of home and the projected rainbows on his kitchen floor. He was on the Mainland now. Even farther away from home in distance, but still only a few hours boat ride from Nis, not stuck for another month in a shitty beach hut.

  “Bathroom’s just down here.” Anise pointed to a door at the end, her face somehow even redder than before.

  “Why you blushing now? I don’t tease you for like, one minute. Is because I am almost naked and got my arms around you, or what?”

  She looked away. “I’m sorry, Sasha.”

  “Why you sorry? Look, I am just a man. That’s it. I think your church is doing good work. Helping people is always good, and if I am inspiration for that, it’s great. And if you want to have big crush on me, that is okay too. But have crush because I am funny, sexy guy, not because you think I am something special—better than other people. I’m not.”

  Anise kept her eyes averted as they passed several closed doors, arriving at the end of the hall. She opened the door and gestured. “This is the bathroom.”

  He took his arms from her, holding onto the door frame, then looked into her magnified eyes. “What I say make sense? You understand?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “Good.” He grinned and lifted his hand, pointing to his wedding band. “I am married, and I love my Dusty, but I love to flirt too. And now that I know you got crush on me, you better look out, Anise. But it’s not going to be fun if you don’t say stuff to me too. Can’t just get red face and look at floor.” Sasha glanced at the toilet. “Okay, now I really got to pee.”

  He limped inside, shutting the door. As he relieved himself, he chuckled and shook his head.

  I’m out of that damn detainment center. I’m in my church. Surrounded by people that think I’m a god. God of innuendo. That’s about it.

  What now? If Corvin and I go back to Nis, will we get arrested and taken back to that beach? Is there even any beach left? People probably think we’re dead.

  Sasha’s insides clenched. Dewbell would be devastated. Would her heart even be able to take news like that? Hopefully she and Trav were holding out hope that he and Corvin were okay, just as they all held out hope that Dusty and the retrieval party were okay. But the beach was destroyed. Was all their stuff—Corvin’s clothes and sketchbook, Sasha’s tee shirts and photos—floating in the water, along with the destroyed huts? God, what if some of that stuff washed up on the beach in front of Dewbell’s house?

  As he stared at the wall, he tried to push all thoughts of Dewbell with sharp implements from his mind. She was with Trav probably. Right? Trav wasn’t Gentlewave, but he was a nice guy and had even mentioned making her dinner and bringing her vegetables from his garden. He would be keeping an eye on her… wouldn’t he?

  The hallway was empty as Sasha left the bathroom. He put a hand on the dark wood paneling, walking slowly back to his room.

  Anise came through a door. “Oh, sorry. Let me help. Corvin is awake. Do you want to talk to him?”

  “Yeah, sounds good.”

  She attempted to put an arm around him, then faltered and drew back, whispering under her breath. She touched him again, then blushed furiously. “Oh my goodness. I think I touched your chest hair.”

  “It’s okay, baby.”

  “I washed your clothes because they were soaking wet and filthy.”

  “Thank you. You want me to try walking by myself? I can probably make it.”

  Anise drew herself up, her mouth pulling into a hard line. “No, no. I can do this.” She squeezed her eyes shut and slid an arm around his back, her hands deliberately far away from his chest.

  He wanted to laugh, but the poor woman was having such a hard time in his presence that it seemed cruel to do so. And thoughts of Dewbell drained a lot of the joy out of being free.

  She guided him to an open door. “Sasha, do you like black bears? The candy?”

  He frowned and eyed her. “Uh, yeah. I guess so. I like candy.”

  “You like the flavor?”

  “Is very strong, but it taste good.”

  “That flavor is called ‘anise.’”

  Sasha paused, then let out a surprised laugh. “Hey, not bad for first sexy joke! You keep practicing your flirting. I will be ready.” He winked and Anise abashedly looked away.

  “I’ll be back. Going to get you and Corvin some food.”

  “Thank you. But I hope you make enough. Corvin can eat enough food for all of church followers.” Sasha entered the room.

  Corvin lay in bed, one leg propped up and immobilized with splints and hardened white bandages. His longish hair was messy, tucked behind his ears, and stubble darkened his strong jaw. Sasha had never seen him so slovenly—so normal.

  “You do realize you’re corrupting that nice woman,” Corvin said.

  Sasha chuckled as he hobbled to the bed. He gave Corvin a hard hug, then dropped into a plush chair. “Don’t want to get all mushy on you, weirdo, but I am glad you are not dead. How you doing?”

  “I’m okay. Can’t get rid of the taste of seawater in my mouth.”

  “Well, Anise said she was bringing us some food, so maybe it will go away… big mess we are in now, huh? Got to get back to Islands, and everybody probably think we are dead until we show up.”

  Corvin let out a breath, plucking at the quilt across his bare chest. “I’m worried about what Dewbell will think, but I guess there’s nothing to be done about it right now. I sure hope she’s okay. She has… coping mechanisms that she uses a lot when she’s upset. Knitting, needlepoint, that sort of thing. Not sure that cross-stitching a pillow is going to help her cope with thinking we’re dead, though.”

  Probably not. “But Trav is probably with her, you know? He knows about her… urges, right?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Shit.” I wish I really were a god. I could send my thoughts to her right now and let her know we’re okay.

  Corvin shrugged and tried to smile. “I’ve written her a letter, but Anise said the postman only comes every two weeks. I’d pay someone to rush deliver it, but I don’t have any money. So hopefully she’s with Trav, because I can’t go anywhere with a broken leg. ”

  “I got cut on my thigh. Anise touched my leg and I thought she was come on to me. She only want to change bandage.” Sasha chuckled, but it sounded fake, even to him.

  “I talked to her earlier and she told me all about your ‘church.’ I know you mentioned before that you had a cult, but I didn’t think it was this far-reaching. Sounds like she’s been practically beating worshippers off with a stick so you could get some rest.” Corvin’s eyes unfocused as he stared at the far wall. “I was a celebrity too, in Hammerlink. I had a lot of fans. Women throwing themselves at me, people inviting me to parties or wanting to come to mine. What I realized, though? Is those people weren’t really my friends. They liked my generosity and clothes, but they called me weird behind my back and when I needed support from someone, they were never around. Bunch of fakers.”

  Sasha frowned and looked at his feet. “They just used you, huh?”

  “Yes, but I think your worshippers are different. Well, I don’t know about the others, but Anise is different. She seems like she really cares about you. Coming all the way from Burr to help you and me. Tha
t’s a good fan to have.”

  “I think she done lot of good work.”

  Anise walked into the room carrying two trays.

  “There’s my candy-flavor baby!” Sasha exclaimed. “You bring me dinner? …Or dessert?”

  Corvin shook his head. “There’s no off-switch, is there?”

  “Nope.”

  Anise gave them both a shy smile. “I have soup and sandwiches. Will that do?”

  “Ooh.” Corvin perked up. “Yes, dear. Thanks. I’m starving.”

  She handed Corvin a bowl of soup and a sandwich cut into squares. He immediately dipped a slice into the soup, then stuffed it in his mouth.

  Anise gave Sasha his tee shirt and he donned it. “I washed your jeans too, but I think it might hurt too much for you to put them on right now. Corvin, your clothes are clean as well, and I ironed your nice shirt. There was a little rip in it but I sewed it up.”

  Corvin’s eyes grew wide as he took a gulp of soup. “My goodness, dear, maybe they should be worshipping you here.”

  “That is what I say too,” Sasha said.

  Anise shook her head and walked to an empty bed in the corner of the room. She pushed it across the floor until it was next to Corvin’s, then she pointed at Sasha. “So you can eat your food in bed too, while you talk to Corvin.”

  “You are too good to me, baby.”

  Sasha climbed into the bed, sucking in a breath as he lifted his injured leg and settled back into the pillows. Anise handed him his meal. He cupped the bowl of chicken soup, warmth radiating into his hands. The ocean had been so cold, he didn’t think all the heat in the world would get that numbing chill out of his bones. He sipped his soup, then looked at Anise, watching him with a shy smile. “How did followers know I am Sasha? They never seen my face. Only one I ever show is you.”

  “Oh… Well, I’ve painted a few portraits of you. There’s one downstairs.”

  “You paint pictures of me? Wow.”

  Corvin swallowed a bite of sandwich. “You know, I’m an artist too, dear. Did you paint those drone pictures in the hallway?”

  “Only the first one you can see outside the door.” She pointed into the hall at an impressionistic painting of Irina the drone, done in bold, warm colors.

  “Well, I’d love to see more of your work. Do you paint things other than this guy’s ugly mug?”

  “Hey, remind me again, which of us is god here?” Sasha said. “Besides, you can’t talk about what things to paint, Mr. Body-parts-and-rotting-pig-heads.”

  Corvin gave him a sideways glance. “Those were my Hammerlink paintings. I don’t paint creepy things anymore.”

  “Uh-huh. Sure you don’t. I been in your house, man.”

  Anise stood, smoothing out her dress. “I’ll be right back.”

  Sasha took a bite of his hot cheese and tomato sandwich and smiled contentedly.

  Corvin drained his soup bowl and wiped his mouth. “I was thinking, by the time we’re recovered, the retrieval party will be back on Nis. We won’t have to go back to that shithole of a beach again!”

  “Yeah, that is great. But I don’t want everybody to think we are dead in meantime. I hope postman comes early, because I don’t know if Dewbell can handle it. And it going to break Owl and Dusty’s hearts, if they come back and we are disappeared.”

  If they thought he and Corvin were dead, Dusty would probably try to carry on without anyone else seeing her pain; she tried so hard to be tough, even when she was hurting on the inside. Even without actually being dead, having to let her think he was—for any amount of time—rended his heart.

  Corvin’s smile disappeared. He held Sasha’s gaze, and Sasha was certain the same thoughts were running through both their minds. Corvin scraped his spoon against his empty soup bowl. “I don’t know how I’m going to get back home right away with a broken leg.”

  “Well, I can put you in shopping cart and push you down road.”

  Corvin snorted. “Like what Dusty did for you when you had a weak heart?”

  “Yeah.”

  Anise returned, a large picture frame in her hands. She looked down, her cheeks pink, then flipped it around. Sasha’s mouth fell open. He was looking at his own face in profile: his curls were painted in a flurry of black and teal strokes, warm light highlighted his brow and bony nose, and his blue eyes shined with a deep luminosity. The effect was, well, godly. No wonder some of the worshippers fell into disbelief after rescuing his soggy, gaunt-faced carcass.

  Corvin grinned. “That’s fantastic, dear! I love the colors. I never got the handle of impressionism. I’m too meticulous with details.”

  “Thank you.” Anise eyed Sasha. “Do you… do you like it?”

  Sasha studied the painting. His face was somehow powerful and benevolent at the same time, and a spark of determination glimmered in his eye. Looking at himself that way—depicted in that light—made him feel exposed and more than a bit unworthy.

  Corvin leaned over and smacked his arm.

  Sasha took his eyes from the painting. “Damn, Anise. Can’t believe you make me look so good. It’s…”

  “You’re blushing.” She gave him a simper. “I guess that’s a yes, then.”

  Does she really see me like that? “Make me little bit uncomfortable, to be honest.”

  Corvin whacked his arm again, but Anise only grinned. “Well, I guess it’s payback for embarrassing me with your suggestive underwear.” She looked at Corvin. “Did you know you’re supposed to lick that dessert on the front of his undies?”

  Corvin choked on a bite of sandwich, then swallowed and coughed. “I’m not even going to comment on that.”

  Anise leaned the painting against the wall and sat in the plush chair between them. She put her hands in her lap. “I have some things to tell you, Sasha. I’m assuming I can do that with Corvin here, since he’s your friend.”

  Sasha nodded. “Yeah, I don’t got no secrets. Corvin can hear what you got to say.”

  Corvin set his empty tray on an end table beside the bed. “I dunno. If it’s more talk about Sasha’s underwear, count me out. Otherwise, I’m going to be blushing too.”

  Anise giggled. “No. It’s, well, it’s good news and bad news at the same time. This apparently happened last year, but I only recently found out about it. The followers that did it were afraid of being punished. I’m still not sure if they should be or not. Sasha, do you remember when you first came to visit me with your drone and you accused us of burning down your science facility?”

  “Yep. I remember. I thought you guys were crazy and burn down Priyut then blame it on me. I am glad I was wrong. Wait.” He grimaced. “Are you saying somebody from cult did do it? Shit.”

  Anise cringed. “No, no. It wasn’t us. It was someone from your facility. He admitted to it… after a couple of the followers beat a confession out of him.”

  Sasha raised his eyebrows. “How they know this person wasn’t lying and only confess because they getting beat up?”

  “Well, a couple weeks after the fire, three of the followers were making a supply run between Burr and Cadestown, when they discovered a truck parked on the side of the road. It was one of those white trucks from your facility. Had a big number two on the back, I guess.”

  The hairs raised on Sasha’s arms and he glanced at Corvin, who wore an expression of surprise. Truck Two. “We found that truck when we were traveling to Burr. The doors were opened and nobody inside. Keys on the floor. There was big storm and me and Corvin and our friends get inside. We drove to Burr, then to coast. Guy that burn down Priyut was one driving? Shit. That’s crazy.”

  Anise nodded. “He was stopped because there were electronics that had fallen out of the back of the truck and he was picking them up off the road. The followers stopped to help him, then realized that his truck was completely filled with drones, computers, medical equipment, and guns.”

  Sasha whistled and shook his head. I knew having all that equipment there would make us a target, but I always
thought it would be stolen by highwaymen or something—not someone who lived there.

  “The followers were very angry that this man had stolen all of your drones, Sasha, and they wanted to know how he was able to take them all. He was quite hostile and tried to take off in the truck, but they dragged him out and beat him up. He confessed to burning down Priyut. Said his work was complete there and he didn’t need the place anymore.” Anise frowned and looked in her lap. “The followers decided to take the drones and electronics—to give them back to you if you ever showed up. But while they were loading them up on their boofalope, the man grabbed one of the guns and tried to shoot them. They—they killed him in retaliation.”

  “Wow. Who was this guy? Did they know his name?” I’d accuse Mikhail, but he’s still in Burr banging Irina for all I know.

  “Yes. They said he was a doctor. Doctor Krupin.”

  Sasha’s mouth parted and he sank back into the pillows. “That fucking bastard.”

  Anise winced and looked away.

  Chest heaving, he pushed his tray of food away and balled his fists. “Thought that guy could not become worst person than he already was, but I guess I was wrong. Damn.”

  Corvin shook his head and looked in his lap. Sasha had told all of his friends about Krupin dropping the NAHS virus on the rest of the world. It was Krupin’s whole reasoning for sending a team of Russians to America in the first place. Dr. Orlov had been a kinder, if somewhat detached, scientist, studying the peoples and cultures of America for his anthropological reports.

  Krupin told everyone the virus drop was Sasha’s idea… and then he apparently burned down Priyut and killed dozens of people who knew and trusted him.

  Sasha scowled. “I hope when they kill Krupin it was slow, painful death. I hope he beg for his mommy.”

  Anise put her hands to her mouth. “Sasha…”

  “He deserve it, I’m telling you. He was horrible guy. You love me and think I am god for assassinating slaver boss with drone, but Krupin do lot of more bad things than that. He is mass murderer.”